
The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume 2
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $24.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Seth Andrews
-
By:
-
Joshua Bowen
About this listen
Following up on the popular first volume, The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume 2 takes up the challenge of providing a clear and useful guide to those wanting a better understanding of the Old Testament, including its cultural and historical background, as well as discussions on contentious topics like violence and genocide, and whether the Exodus was a real historical event. Volume two also covers the narrative of the Old Testament, from the conquest to the divided monarchy, and a brief history of Egypt to help situate the biblical text within agreed historical events.
This book provides:
- Clear and straightforward explanations to complex topics
- Direct engagement with hot-button Old Testament issues
- Specific arguments to help you in a debate or discussion
Whether you are looking to debate problematic Old Testament issues on social media or have a relaxed, meaningful discussion with a family member over coffee, The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament is an indispensable resource for you.
©2022 Joshua Aaron Bowen (P)2022 Joshua Aaron BowenCritic reviews
"The chapters detailing the conquest of Canaan and the Exodus from Egypt accurately summarize the current state of our knowledge and beliefs, and are written in an accessible and understandable way, making them an excellent resource for people who are interested in learning more about how the biblical narrative relates to our knowledge of ancient history. I would not hesitate to assign both chapters to my own students." (Dr. Eric H. Cline, Professor of Classics, History, and Anthropology and Director, GWU Capitol Archaeological Institute, The George Washington University)
"Joshua Bowen’s The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume Two will appeal to atheists and those of faith alike for its insightful examination of Scripture’s most problematic passages. Bowen’s approach to the topic is refreshing, for he encourages a respectful debate between atheists and believers over the historicity of the biblical narratives. In this book, Bowen presents an authoritative critique of Scripture’s historical and ethical claims based on the best and most recent scholarship, with a particular focus on textual and archaeological discoveries. He convincingly shows why a civil society cannot base its ethics on the ancient biblical texts." (Kenneth Atkinson, Professor of History, University of Northern Iowa)
"Dr. Bowen deftly distills Old Testament studies into a format accessible to those of us without a doctorate in the field. His book both tells and dismantles biblical stories, provides critical background and context, and helps us to enter discussions better informed and more prepared. It's essential reading." (Seth Andrews, Host of The Thinking Atheist podcast, author of Confessions of a Former Fox News Christian and Christianity Made Me Talk Like an Idiot)
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament, Volume 1
- By: Joshua Bowen
- Narrated by: Seth Andrews
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Old Testament is a fierce battleground for atheists and Christian apologists, with each side accusing the other of taking challenging and troubling passages out of context. In this handbook, Joshua Bowen not only provides the background to the Old Testament and the ancient Near East, but engages with hotly contested topics like slavery, failed prophecy, and the authorship of debated Old Testament books.
-
-
Very informative with beautiful narration
- By Frank Rizzo on 07-07-21
By: Joshua Bowen
-
All That's Wrong with the Bible
- Contradictions, Absurdities, and More
- By: Jonah David Conner
- Narrated by: James R. Cheatham
- Length: 3 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written by a linguist, ex-fundamentalist graduate of Liberty University, this book goes straight to the evidence and presents a concise case-by-case analysis of the most salient problems in the Christian Scriptures. With insightful commentary concerning frequent rebuttals used by apologists, it makes a solid case against evangelical claims to inerrancy.
-
-
Connor is Not Great
- By Tahoe on 03-28-24
-
Did the Old Testament Endorse Slavery?
- By: Joshua Bowen
- Narrated by: Seth Andrews
- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The God of the Old Testament commanded and endorsed many practices that we find morally reprehensible today. High on the list was the institution of slavery, which features prominently in several sections of the Hebrew Bible. Fathers could sell their daughters into slavery, masters could beat their slaves, creditors could carry off children for failure to repay a debt, and foreigners could be kept for life, passed down as inherited property. How are we to make sense of all of this from our modern point of view?
-
-
Educational without boredom
- By jackaltwinky77 on 07-26-24
By: Joshua Bowen
-
Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism
- By: Aron Ra
- Narrated by: Aron Ra
- Length: 16 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Religious fundamentalists and biblical literalists present any number of arguments that attempt to disprove evolution. Those with a sympathetic ear often fail to critically examine these creationist claims, leading to an ill-informed public and, perhaps more troubling, ill-advised public policy. As Aron Ra makes clear, however, every single argument deployed by creationists in their attacks on evolution is founded on fundamental scientific, religious, and historical falsehoods - all of them.
-
-
A fantastic listen!
- By Ms. Gray on 11-06-16
By: Aron Ra
-
Why the Bible Began
- An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins
- By: Jacob L. Wright
- Narrated by: Jim Denison
- Length: 17 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For Jacob Wright, the Bible is not only a testimony of survival, but also an unparalleled achievement in human history. Forged after Babylon's devastation of Jerusalem, it makes not victory but total humiliation the foundation of a new idea of belonging. Lamenting the destruction of their homeland, scribes who composed the Bible imagined a promise-filled past while reflecting deeply on abject failure.
By: Jacob L. Wright
-
God
- An Anatomy
- By: Francesca Stavrakopoulou
- Narrated by: Francesca Stavrakopoulou
- Length: 15 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The scholarship of theology and religion teaches us that the God of the Bible was without a body, only revealing himself in the Old Testament in words mysteriously uttered through his prophets, and in the New Testament in the body of Christ. The portrayal of God as corporeal and masculine is seen as merely metaphorical, figurative, or poetic. But, in this revelatory study, Francesca Stavrakopoulou presents a vividly corporeal image of God: a human-shaped deity who walks and talks and weeps and laughs, who eats, sleeps, feels, and breathes, and who is undeniably male.
-
-
GREAT READ!!
- By Chester Johnson on 04-27-23
-
The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament, Volume 1
- By: Joshua Bowen
- Narrated by: Seth Andrews
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Old Testament is a fierce battleground for atheists and Christian apologists, with each side accusing the other of taking challenging and troubling passages out of context. In this handbook, Joshua Bowen not only provides the background to the Old Testament and the ancient Near East, but engages with hotly contested topics like slavery, failed prophecy, and the authorship of debated Old Testament books.
-
-
Very informative with beautiful narration
- By Frank Rizzo on 07-07-21
By: Joshua Bowen
-
All That's Wrong with the Bible
- Contradictions, Absurdities, and More
- By: Jonah David Conner
- Narrated by: James R. Cheatham
- Length: 3 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written by a linguist, ex-fundamentalist graduate of Liberty University, this book goes straight to the evidence and presents a concise case-by-case analysis of the most salient problems in the Christian Scriptures. With insightful commentary concerning frequent rebuttals used by apologists, it makes a solid case against evangelical claims to inerrancy.
-
-
Connor is Not Great
- By Tahoe on 03-28-24
-
Did the Old Testament Endorse Slavery?
- By: Joshua Bowen
- Narrated by: Seth Andrews
- Length: 8 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The God of the Old Testament commanded and endorsed many practices that we find morally reprehensible today. High on the list was the institution of slavery, which features prominently in several sections of the Hebrew Bible. Fathers could sell their daughters into slavery, masters could beat their slaves, creditors could carry off children for failure to repay a debt, and foreigners could be kept for life, passed down as inherited property. How are we to make sense of all of this from our modern point of view?
-
-
Educational without boredom
- By jackaltwinky77 on 07-26-24
By: Joshua Bowen
-
Foundational Falsehoods of Creationism
- By: Aron Ra
- Narrated by: Aron Ra
- Length: 16 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Religious fundamentalists and biblical literalists present any number of arguments that attempt to disprove evolution. Those with a sympathetic ear often fail to critically examine these creationist claims, leading to an ill-informed public and, perhaps more troubling, ill-advised public policy. As Aron Ra makes clear, however, every single argument deployed by creationists in their attacks on evolution is founded on fundamental scientific, religious, and historical falsehoods - all of them.
-
-
A fantastic listen!
- By Ms. Gray on 11-06-16
By: Aron Ra
-
Why the Bible Began
- An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins
- By: Jacob L. Wright
- Narrated by: Jim Denison
- Length: 17 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For Jacob Wright, the Bible is not only a testimony of survival, but also an unparalleled achievement in human history. Forged after Babylon's devastation of Jerusalem, it makes not victory but total humiliation the foundation of a new idea of belonging. Lamenting the destruction of their homeland, scribes who composed the Bible imagined a promise-filled past while reflecting deeply on abject failure.
By: Jacob L. Wright
-
God
- An Anatomy
- By: Francesca Stavrakopoulou
- Narrated by: Francesca Stavrakopoulou
- Length: 15 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The scholarship of theology and religion teaches us that the God of the Bible was without a body, only revealing himself in the Old Testament in words mysteriously uttered through his prophets, and in the New Testament in the body of Christ. The portrayal of God as corporeal and masculine is seen as merely metaphorical, figurative, or poetic. But, in this revelatory study, Francesca Stavrakopoulou presents a vividly corporeal image of God: a human-shaped deity who walks and talks and weeps and laughs, who eats, sleeps, feels, and breathes, and who is undeniably male.
-
-
GREAT READ!!
- By Chester Johnson on 04-27-23
-
Ten Things Christians Wish Jesus Hadn't Taught: And Other Reasons to Question His Words
- By: David Madison
- Narrated by: Seth Andrews
- Length: 3 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For centuries the gospels have been cherished devotional literature, and under the guidance of preachers and priests, they’ve been understood as reliable depictions of Jesus. But even the most devout Christians stumble across sayings of Jesus that don’t sound quite right. In fact - if we’re honest - some of them are alarming. But the problem won’t go away, even if many of the faithful file these troublesome texts in a mental drawer marked “Too uncomfortable to think about”. In fact, the problem is much larger than many people suppose.
-
-
How dare you!
- By amanda on 09-22-21
By: David Madison
-
The Bible Unearthed
- Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts
- By: Neil Asher Silberman, Israel Finkelstein
- Narrated by: Bob Souer
- Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this iconoclastic and provocative work, leading scholars Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman draw on recent archaeological research to present a dramatically revised portrait of ancient Israel and its neighbors. They argue that crucial evidence (or a telling lack of evidence) at digs in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon suggests that many of the most famous stories in the Bible - the wanderings of the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, Joshua’s conquest of Canaan, and David and Solomon’s vast empire - reflect the world of the later authors.
-
-
Quite Eye Opening
- By K. Walker on 10-11-22
By: Neil Asher Silberman, and others
-
Christianity Made Me Talk Like an Idiot
- By: Seth Andrews
- Narrated by: Seth Andrews
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seth Andrews wasn't an idiot during his 30 years as an evangelical Christian. He wasn't unintelligent, nor did his IQ shift when he ultimately left religion entirely. He considered himself thoughtful, moral, reasonable, and at least as smart as the average person. In other words, he wasn't an idiot. Yet strangely, he often sounded like one.
-
-
Resonates with any ex-evangelical!
- By Jeremy Gregg on 12-05-22
By: Seth Andrews
-
God
- The Most Unpleasant Character in All Fiction
- By: Dan Barker
- Narrated by: Dan Barker, Richard Dawkins, Buzz Kemper
- Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Originally conceived as a joint presentation between influential thinker and best-selling author Richard Dawkins and former evangelical preacher Dan Barker, this unique book provides an investigation into what may be the most unpleasant character in all fiction. Barker combs through both the Old and New Testaments (as well as 13 different editions of the "Good Book"), presenting powerful evidence for why Scripture shouldn't govern our everyday lives.
-
-
good, but not recommended for bible-aware atheists
- By Jared on 10-15-16
By: Dan Barker
-
Nailed
- Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed at All
- By: David Fitzgerald
- Narrated by: David Fitzgerald
- Length: 4 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nailed sheds light on ten beloved Christian myths, and, with evidence gathered from historians across the theological spectrum, shows how they point to a Jesus Christ created solely through allegorical alchemy of hope and imagination; a messiah transformed from a purely literary, theological construct into the familiar figure of Jesus - in short, a purely mythic Christ.
-
-
I Lost my faith in Jesus
- By Neuron on 12-05-14
By: David Fitzgerald
-
The Complete Heretic's Guide to Western Religion, Book 1
- The Mormons
- By: David Fitzgerald
- Narrated by: David Smalley
- Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this first book of The Complete Heretic's Guide to World Religion series, historian and award-winning atheist author Dave Fitzgerald takes us behind the Salt Lake curtain for a glimpse at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and answers your questions: Where did this multi-billion dollar tax-exempt corporation come from? Did Joseph Smith really sleep with all those women? Are the Mormons going to take over the whole world, and if so, is there any way to stop them? But that's not all!
-
-
Amusing treatment, but narration problems
- By B. C. French on 08-06-13
By: David Fitzgerald
-
Heaven and Hell
- A History of the Afterlife
- By: Bart D. Ehrman
- Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd, Bart D. Ehrman - preface
- Length: 12 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this “eloquent understanding of how death is viewed through many spiritual traditions” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), Bart Ehrman recounts the long history of the afterlife, ranging from The Epic of Gilgamesh up to the writings of Augustine, focusing especially on the teachings of Jesus and his early followers. He discusses ancient guided tours of heaven and hell, in which a living person observes the sublime blessings of heaven for those who are saved and the horrifying torments of hell for those who are damned.
-
-
It may not be what you expect
- By Library Bob on 05-25-20
By: Bart D. Ehrman
-
God Is Not Great
- How Religion Poisons Everything
- By: Christopher Hitchens
- Narrated by: Christopher Hitchens
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the tradition of Bertrand Russell's Why I Am Not a Christian and Sam Harris' recent best-seller, The End of Faith, Christopher Hitchens makes the ultimate case against religion. With a close and erudite reading of the major religious texts, he documents the ways in which religion is a man-made wish, a cause of dangerous sexual repression, and a distortion of our origins in the cosmos.
-
-
5-Star Writing. Perfect Author Narration.
- By Michael on 12-13-09
-
The Not-So-Intelligent Designer
- Why Evolution Explains the Human Body and Intelligent Design Does Not
- By: Abby Hafer
- Narrated by: Seth Andrews
- Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Why do men's testicles hang outside the body? Why does our appendix sometimes explode and kill us? And who does the Designer like better, anyway--us or squid? These and other questions are addressed in The Not-So-Intelligent Designer: Why Evolution Explains the Human Body and Intelligent Design Does Not. Dr. Abby Hafer argues that the human body has many faulty design features that would never have been the choice of an intelligent creator.
-
-
A necessary compilation by Dr Hafer.
- By Daniel Lachance on 10-19-24
By: Abby Hafer
-
Who Wrote the Bible?
- By: Richard Friedman
- Narrated by: Julian Smith, Richard Friedman
- Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For thousands of years, the prophet Moses was regarded as the sole author of the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch. According to tradition, Moses was divinely directed to write down foundational events in the history of the world: the creation of humans, the worldwide flood, the laws as they were handed down at Mt. Sinai, and the cycle of Israel’s enslavement and liberation from Egypt. However, these stories—and their frequent discrepancies—provoke questions.
-
-
An Excellent Book that is Written and Narrated Exceptionally Well!
- By Crazgod on 09-09-22
By: Richard Friedman
-
Paul and Jesus
- How the Apostle Transformed Christianity
- By: James D. Tabor
- Narrated by: Robertson Dean
- Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Historians know virtually nothing about the two decades following the crucifixion of Jesus, when his followers regrouped and began to spread his message. During this time the man we know as the apostle Paul joined the movement and began to preach to the gentiles. Using the oldest Christian documents that we have - the letters of Paul - as well as other early Christian sources, historian and scholar James Tabor reconstructs the origins of Christianity.
-
-
Paul or Jesus?
- By James on 01-29-13
By: James D. Tabor
-
Holy Bible - Best God Damned Version - The Books of Moses
- For atheists, agnostics, and fans of religious stupidity
- By: Steve Ebling
- Narrated by: Virtual Voice
- Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Because you know it's nonsense, but were never sure why.
-
-
So good
- By Anonymous User on 09-27-24
By: Steve Ebling
What listeners say about The Atheist Handbook to the Old Testament: Volume 2
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jo Green
- 11-20-23
Similarities of biblical tales to older tales.
I liked the whole thing, I will have to reference frequently but I’m glad he presented the apologist arguments with an explanation of why they don’t work.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jacob Kilgore
- 01-07-24
Excellent critical approach to the Bible
Excellent critical approach to the Bible!
The summaries of the Biblical stories seem lengthy, but on the other hand perhaps some people don’t know them at all.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Zach
- 06-27-24
Great resource for believers and unbelievers
I enjoyed the thorough and unbiased analysis of the OT with other ANE texts. Dr. Bowen did a great job providing an accessible and comprehensive resource for those interested in the historicity of OT, laws on violence, slavery, rape, and adultery. Verbose at times, but worth the read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- jackaltwinky77
- 10-24-22
Another brilliant book!!
Dr Bowen, in addition to being an amazing person, is a fantastic author who has managed to incorporate a wide range of information into a consumable piece of media.
Giving enough details to further research into topics that peaked your interest, citing sources of information on topics that aren’t his area of expertise ™️, and digging deeper into the similarities between the biblical timeframe, and the surrounding areas that was informative and interesting.
I’m eagerly awaiting the next volume, whenever he can get that put out.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- J. W. Zents
- 01-17-23
Informative and concise
The author in parts, quite a bit of information about ancient near eastern material relating to the Bible. However, it is not excessively verbose, but it is understandable, and of a reasonable compass.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Young, Gregory H.
- 01-02-23
Excellent follow on
A very interesting and effective sequel, which builds on and elaborates several key ideas presented in Volume 1to Volume 1. Volume 2 very nicely summarizes the academic consensus in several theologically crucial research areas, such as exodus archeology. It also situates biblical literary origins in the region, and helps build understanding of the relationships between the bible and other near eastern texts. This series is perfect for lay readers who want access to academic debates and research conclusions, but lack the time for original research.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bria Pickel
- 11-28-22
Very informative book
Every topic in this book is discussed in depth from different perspectives, including examples from ancient history and modern day and age.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 05-25-23
Must have books both of them
We hope the author narrates his own, more natural i guess
nothing against "set andrew "
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 09-13-22
eye opening and truth telling
what an experience, the facts speak for themselves, do yourself a favor and read it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful